Teaching machine



Aug. 31, 1954 H. M. DAVIS 2,637,579

TEACHING MACHINE v Filed Jan. 23, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hallie M. Davis llo zNVENToR.

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Filed Jan. 23, 1952 H. M. DAVIS TEACHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

Hallie M. Davis INVENTOR.

Atlarntys Patented Aug. 31, 1954 STAES PATENT OFFICE TEACHING MACHINE Hollie M. Davis, River Edge, N. J. Application January 23, 1952, serial No. 267,755

Claims.

This invention relates generally to a teaching machine, and more particularly to a device which not only teaches but also indicates the number of errors.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a teaching machine which provides a plurality of questions and related answers, and means for automatically indicating if an incorrect answer is chosen.

Another object of this invention is to provide a teaching machine which has means for manually selecting the answers to questions provided thereby.

Another object of this invention is to provide a testing machine having means for rotating an indicator dial when an error is made.

A further object of this invention is to provide a teaching machine which has means for manually indicating the chosen answer and linkage connecting the answer indicating means with means for rotating an indicator when the incorrect answer is chosen.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of the invention, which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of the teaching machine which is the subject of this invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the teaching machine or Figure l with its cover open and only partly shown, parts being broken away and shown in section in order to clearly show the mechanisrn of the machine;

Figure 3 a vertical central sectional view of the teaching machine of Figure 1 and showing the operating mechanism thereof, the cover being shown in an open position by dotted lines;

Figure 4 is a partial transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line li-l of Figure 2 and showing spring means for retaining link elements in their shifted position;

Figure 5 is a partial vertical sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5 5 of Figure 2 and showing the construction of indicating levers and their connections to operating linkage;

Figure 6 is a partial transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-5 of Figure 3 and showing the manner in which one of the error indicating levers is moved out of its actuating position;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the error indicating and counting means, parts being broken away and shown in section; and

Figure 8 is a partial top plan View of a sheet rotatably mounted in the teaching machine and showing the details thereof.

Referring now more specically to the accompanying drawings, wherein, like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention depicted in the drawings as illustrative of the principles of the invention, comprises a novel teaching machine. Referring more specically to Figures l and 2, it will be seen that the invention comprises a generally rectangular housing i9 which may be formed of wood, metal, plastic or other similar materials. The housing ID has side walls l2 and I4, end walls I6 and i8, and a partial top wall 20 adjacent the end wall I6. The hinged cover 22 is provided to close the remaining portion of the top of the housing l0. The partial top wall 20 is preferably removably secured in place by conventional fasteners passing through the top wall 20 into the end wall I6. A pair of hinges 24 are secured to the underside of the cover 22 and the upper edge of the end wall i8 by conventional fasteners in order to hingedly connect the cover 22 to the remainder of the housing l0. The machine is illustrated and described as not having any bottom, although it is obvious that a bottom may be added if it is desired.

The side walls of the housing are provided with a pair of elongated slots 26 and Z8 which open through the tops of the side walls l2 and lll and are closed by the cover 22. The slots 26 and 28 have semi-circular bottoms so as to form bearings for shafts. Rotatably journaled in the slots 26 is a transverse shaft swhich has ends extending eXteriorly of the housing iii and are provided with grip portions 32. Carried by the shaft 30 within the housing l 0 is a spool 3 which may be rotated by turning the grips 32.

The slots 28 have rotatably journaled thereon a shaft 36 which extends transversely of the housing lil, and has portions exteriorly thereof on which are secured grips 38. Also mounted on the shaft 35 but carried within the housing l@ is a spool 4D.

An idler shaft 42 extends between the side walls i2 and M and is rotatably journaled therein. The idler shaft 42 is located intermediate the spools 34 and All, and is positioned adjacent the upper edges of the side walls l2 and lli.

Extending between and rotatably journaled in the side walls I2 and I4 is a reversing roller 44.

The upper surface of the reversing roller 44 is in the same plane as the upper surface of the idler shaft 42, whereby sheets passing thereover are maintained closely beneath the bottom of the cover 22. The reversing roller 44 is mounted adjacent the end wall .I 8.

Positioned within the housing I is an error indicating and recording mechanism which will be referred to generally by reference numeral 46 and further described hereinafter. The error indicating mechanism 46 has an upper guide member 48 and a lower guide member 5t). Referring now to Figure 3, it will be seen that an elongated sheet 52 has a portion reeled around the spool 34 and extends from the spool 34 beneath the lower guide member 58 to the reversing member 44. The sheet 52 passes around the reversing member 44 and over the upper guide member 4t to the idler shaft 42. The sheet then extends from the idler shaft 42 to the spool 4E! around which a portion of the sheet is reeled. The cover 22 is provided with a window 54 overlying the portion of the sheet 52 which extends between the idler shaft 42 and the reversing roller 44. It'

is readily apparent that the sheet 52 may be moved beneath the window 54 and may b e selectively moved with respect thereto by rotating the shafts 3B and 36.

Referring now to Figure 7 in particular, it will be seen that the error indicating and recording mechanism 45 has a frame construction with the guide member 48 and lower guide member 5U forming the upper and lower sides thereof respectively. Extending between and secured to the upper guide member 48 and the lower guide member 59 are longitudinally extending side walls 5S and 58. One of the ends of the frame is closed by a mounting bracket 6G which also extends below the frame. The mounting bracket 5E! is secured to the side wall I2 by conventional fasteners passing through apertures 62 in the bracket 60.

A supporting flange 64 extends from the bracket 60 and underlies the upper guide member 4S in spaced relation thereto. Mounted on the support flange 54 is a spring urged clock works 66. The clock works 66 includes a rotatable dial B8 and a gear having an arm 'I0 which is releasably secured against rotation. Although the clock works 56 may be of any desired type, the preferred embodiment is a simple pocket watch having its dial 58 secured to the minute hand shaft, whereby the dial rotates with respect to the gears in lieu of the minute hand. In order that the dial may be moved a predetermined amount to record each error, the second hand wheel has been cut away with the exception of one spoke which now forms the arm '19.

A bracket 'I2 is carried within the frame of the error indicating mechanism 46 and is mounted on the side wall 56. The bracket I2 is in spaced parallel relation to the mounting bracket 6B, and the two brackets have aligned apertures. Extending between the brackets 60 and 12 and rotatably journaled in the apertures therein is a trigger bar 14. The trigger bar 'I4 is provided on its upper edge with an escapement element which has upstanding arms 16 and "I8 for alternately engaging the arm I0 of the clock work 66 and preventing rotation thereof. Secured to the lower guide member 50 is a coil spring 85 having an offset arm 82 engaging a plate 84 secured to the upper edge of the trigger bar 'I4 for maintaining the trigger bar I4 in a vertical position as shown in Figure 7. An opening 86 is provided in the lower guide member underlying the trigger bar 14.

As will be seen by referring to Figure 7, when force is applied to the trigger bar lil so that it is rotated counter-clockwise the arm, 'I6 of the escapement is rotated to a position below the arm 1E] of the clock works 65. The arm 'IB is then free to rotate substantially one revolution until it engages the arm 'I8 of the escapement. Arm 'I8 having been rotated upward at the same time that arm 'I6 rotated downward. When the force acting on the trigger bar is removed the bar is returned to its normal position by the pressure of offset arm 82 on plate 84. As the bar returns to the normal position arm 78 rotates clockwise and releases arm 1Q. Arm 'la rotates a short distance and is stopped by arm '15, and is again positioned between the arms 'I6 and 'I3 of the escapement. When the arm 'ZB has returned to this position it has completed a complete revolution, and the indicating dial 68 has moved one notch, thereby recording one error.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the error indicating and recording mechanism 46 extends through the side wall I2 of the housing I0, and that the portion externally of the housing II) is enclosed in a housing 88. The housing 88 is provided with a detachable cover 9D which has an opening therein provided with a pointer 92 for reading the dial 68. The winding stem 94 of the clock works S6 extends through the housing 88 in order that the clock works 65 may be wound.

Secured to the bottom of the end wall I6 are three elongated flat springs 95, 98 and IUS. The fiat springs 96, 98 and IUE) are each provided at their free end with a pair of spaced parallel arms |02 which extends toward the end wall I as a continuation of the springs. Mounted between the pairs of arms |02 are cog wheels I04 which are rotatably journaled on pins |86 between the arms IIl2. The cog wheels |04 are provided with cogs |08 which are adapted to pass through apertures IIG selectively positioned in the sheet 52.

As is shown in Figure 3, when the spool lll is rotated to reel the sheet 52 thereon, the cogs IUS extending through the apertures IID are rotated against the underside of the trigger bar 14, and the trigger bar 'I4 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. Counter-clockwise rotation of the trigger bar 'M releases the arms 1I! of the clock works 66 in the manner described above. When the dial 68 rotates to indicate an error, the sheet 52 is movedA back to its original position by rotating the spool 34 winding the sheet 52 thereon. The cog I [i8 then engages the opposite side of the trigger bar 14 and rotates it in a clockwise direction. This is not registered on the dial as clockwise rotation of the trigger bar does not cause arm 'I6 to release arm '15. The apertures I ID and the sheet 52 are so spaced that they are always in alignment with a cog I 08.

Extending between the end walls I6 and I8, and rotatably journaled therein are rods I I2 and I I4. The rod I I2 extends intermediate the flat springs 96 and 98 in parallel relation thereto, and has mounted thereon a depresser bar IIS. The depresser bar IIS is adapted to be pivoted into engagement with the upper surface of either the spring 96 or the spring 98, in order to move their associate cog wheels |04 to a position below the sheet 52 so that their associated cogs |08 do not extend through the apertures I I0 in the sheet 52. Carried by the rod I I4 is a depresser bar I I8 which 1S adapted to engage the upper surface of the spring 98 or the upper surface of the spring |00 to move the spring selectively downwardly in order to move their cog wheels |04 from engagement with the sheet 52.

Referring now to Figure 5, it will be seen that the rod i i2 is provided with an upwardly extending arm |2|i adjacent its point of engagement with the end wall I5. The arm has a portion engaged in an elongated slot |22 of a lever |24. The lever |24 is rotatably mounted on a shaft |26 which is carried by the end wall |B, and is provided at its upper end with a shift arm |28 eX- tending through a slot |30 in the top wall 20. The construction of the lever |24 is such that when the shift arm |28 is moved to the left, the arm |20 is moved to the right to rotate the depresser bar H5 clockwise as shown in Figure 6. The shift arm |28 is shown in Figure 5 as being positioned to the right, and the depresser bar H5 is pivoted counter-clockwise into engagement with the upper surface of the spring S8 so that in turn the cog wheel |04 mounted on the end of the spring 98 is moved out of engagement with the sheet 52.

The rod ||4 is provided with an upwardly extending arm 32 which has its upper end engaged in an elongated slot |34 of a lever |35. The lever |35 is rotatably mounted on a shaft |38 carried by the end wall I5, and has at its upper end a shift arm |45 extending through a slot |42 in the top wall 20. The lever |35 functions in the same manner as the lever |24 to rotate the depresser bar H8. The rods ||2 and ||4 are provided with upwardly extending arms |44 and |45, respectively, adjacent the end wall i8. The arms |44 and |45 are secured to the ends of springs |48 and |56 which are mounted on pins |52 and |54, respectively. The springs |43 and |50 maintain the arms |44 and |45, respectively, in the position to which they are last moved, and thereby retain the depresser bars H6 and ||8 in their depressing position. The pins |52 and |54 are carried by the end wall I8.

In View of the foregoingit will be seen that when the switch arms |28 and |40 are both moved to the right as viewed in Figure 1, that the Springs 96 and Qt are depressed and associated cog wheels |04 are moved out of engagement with the sheet 52. This leaves only the cog wheel |334 of the spring |00 for engagement with the trigger bar 'I4 through the apertures liti in the sheet 52. It is believed to be obvious that if the sheet 52 were not provided with apertures HS in alignment with the cog wheel m4 with the spring |09 at a point on the sheet 52, then the trigger bar 74 would not be tripped. It is on this principle that the teaching machine operates. The sheet is provided with printed matter in the form of simple verses describing' an object, and three possible answers. For eX- ample, the sheet 52 may contain the following verse and possible answers:

I CAN RUN VERY FAST.

CHILDREN LIKE TO PLAY WITH ME. I EAT CORN, HAY AND OATS.

MEN RIDE ON MY BACK.

L... .IAMACAT R...IAMADOG T. IAMAHORSE It is obvious that the above verse describes a horse and that the correct answer is I AM A HORSE.

Since the correct answer is I AM A HORSE, and the correct answer follows the letter T the shift arms |28 and |40 should be moved towards each other. This depresses the springs 95 and |00 and leaves only the cog wheel |04 of the spring 98 in engagement with the underside of the sheet 52. Since this is the correct answer, the sheet 52 is provided at its corresponding portion in alignment with the trigger bar 'i4 with apertures ||0 in alignment with the cog wheels |04 of the springs 96 and lili? only. Since the movement of either the shift arm |28 or the shift arm |49 to any other position, would release either the spring 55 or the spring Ito, it is obvious that an incorrect positioning of the shift arms |28 and |40 would result in the cog wheels |56 of either of the spring 95 or the spring itt engaging the trigger bar i4 and recording an error.

The top wall 20 may be provided with the letters L, T, R adjacent the slots |35 and |42 in order to indicate to the child using the teaching machine which direction to move the shift arms |28 and |40.

In View of the foregoing, it is believed that the operation of the machine is readily apparent. However, the operation or" the machine is .described herebelow.

The operator of the machine reads the exercise shown through the window 54 of the cover 22 in Figure 1, and if he decides that the correct answer is DOG, he turns the shift arms |28 and |46 to the right. This depresses the springs 555 and 98 and allows the cog wheel |04 of the spring |00 to remain in engagement with the sheet 52. Since this is the wrong answer, the sheet 52 is provided with apertures it in alignment with the cogs |08 of the cog wheel, and the cogs it?) pass through the apertures Il@ and engage the trigger bar 14.

The operator then rotates the shaft 35 to move the printed matter towards the bottom of the window 54, whereby the cog W25, as shown in Figure 3, is rotated clockwise and pivots the trigger bar 'i4 so as to move past the trigger bar ld. The pivoting of the trigger bar i4 results in the releasing of the arm 7B, the dial |53 is permitted to rotate one notch to indicate an error.

Being appraised by the dial that he has made a mistake, the operator will return the printed matter to its original position in the window 54 by rotating the shaft 3l). As the sheet 52 is moved back to its original position, the cog |98 will trip the trigger arm l'f-i in an opposite direction, but the arm i@ will not move due toits trapped position between the arms Tie and it of the escapement.

If the operator now decides that CAT is the correct answer, the cog wheel |54 on the end of spring 96 is engaged with other apertures |55 in the sheet 52 and likewise trip the trigger bar 'I4 to record a second error. However, if the operator decides that HORSE is the correct answer, the shift arms |28 and |43 will be moved together and the springs and itil will be depressed. Since the sheet 52 does not have holes at this point in alignment with the cog wheel |64 of the spring 98, no error will be recorded. The sheet 52 is then reeled onto the spool 40 by rotation of the shaft 3B until the next exercise appears in the window 54. The process is then repeated.

Had the operator, being appraised of one error by a. cog passing through one of the holes |53, continued to the next exercise without setting the levers properly, another error would have been automatically recorded by another of the cogs passing through one of the holes Since the error indicating dial 68 moves -one notch on the making of each error, it will be readily seen that the dial shows the total number of errors.

Although the printed matter on the sheet 52 has been illustrated and described as being a verse and a plurality of possible answers, it is obvious that any type of question and answer may be printed on the sheet 52. The questions may include pictures, designs, maps, etc.

While the teaching machine has been described as having three possible answers and three error determining springs, it is obvious that the machine may be provided with more or less.

Since the numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described claimed as new is:

1. A teaching device comprising a housing, spools rotatably mounted within said housing, an elongated sheet reeled on said spool, printed matter on said sheet including questions and answers, means for indicating an answer, means for determining an error, means for indicating an error, said means for determining an answer including a releasing mechanism on one side of said sheet, means for actuating said releasing mechanism on the opposite side or said sheet, selected holes in said sheet in alignment with portions of said actuating means, portions of said actuating means being adapted to pass through said holes and mechanically actuate said releasing means.

2. A teaching device comprising a housing, spools rotatably mounted Within said housing, an elongated sheet reeled on said spool, printed matter on said sheet including questions and answers, means for indicating an answer, means for determining an error, means for indicating an error, said means for determining an answer including a releasing mechanism on one side of said sheet, means for actuating said releasing mechanism on the opposite side of said sheet, selected holes in said sheet in alignment with portions of said actuating means, portions of said actuating means being adapted to pass through said holes and mechanically actuate said releasing means, said means for indicating an answer including levers adapted to be shifted by the operator of the device.

3. A teaching device comprising a housing, spools rotatably mounted within said housing, an elongated sheet reeled on said spool, printed matter on said sheet including questions and answers, means for indicating an answer, means for determining an error, means for indicating an error, said means for determining an answer including a releasing mechanism on the invention, what is one side of said sheet, means for actuating said releasing mechanism on the opposite side of said sheet, selected holes in said sheet in alignment with portions of said actuating means, portions of said actuating means being adapted to pass through said holes and mechanically actuate said releasing means, said releasing means being adapted to release said error indicating means.

4. A teaching device comprising a housing, spools rotatably mounted within said housing, an elongated sheet reeled on said spool, printed matter on said sheet including questions and answers, means for indicating an answer, means for determining an error, means for indicating the error, said error indicating means including a counter having spring rotated gear means in cooperation with said error determining means, whereby when an error is made limited rotation of said gear means is permitted, and an error indicating dial is moved one space with respect to an indicator pointer, said means for determining an answer including a releasing mechanism on one side of said sheet, means for actuating said releasing mechanism on the opposite side of said sheet, selected holes in said sheet in alignment with portions of said actuating means, portions of said actuating means being adapted to pass through said holes and actuating said releasing means.

5. A teaching device comprising a housing, spools rotatably mounted within said housing, an elongated sheet reeled on said spool, printed matter on said sheet including questions and answers, means for indicating an answer, means for determining an error, means for indicating the error, said error indicating means including a counter having spring rotated gear means in cooperation with said error determining means, whereby when an error is made limited rotation of said gear means is permitted, and an error indicating dial is moved one space with respect to an indicator pointer, said means for determining an answer including a releasing mechanism on one side of said sheet, means for actuating said releasing mechanism on the opposite side of said sheet, selected holes in said sheet in alignment with portions of said actuating means, portions of said actuating means being adapted to pass through said holes and actuating said releasing means, actuation of said releasing means permitting said limited rotation of said gear means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,343,875 Reese June 15, 1920 1,540,150 Walker June 2, 1925 1,949,783 Cleaver Mar. 6, 1934 2,030,175 Fevre Feb. 11, 1936 2,062,453 Hastings Dec. 1, 1936 2,213,974 Baker Sept. 10, 1940 2,564,089 Williams et al. Aug. 14, 1952 

